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Changes to Supplement Facts Labels




Heads up! There will be some changes to Supplement Facts labels (on dietary supplements) and to Nutrition Facts labels (on food) to make labels more accurate and easier to understand. The deadline for manufacturers to make these changes is July 2018. In addition, because of the prevalence of diet-related diseases in our country, it is hoped that the label updates will enable consumers to make more informed food choices. We would like to tell you about a few of the upcoming changes to Supplement Facts labels.

RDI Change

Percent Daily Values

There will be a slight difference in the way Percent Daily Values (%DV) are calculated. For vitamins and minerals, this will be expressed as Reference Daily Intakes (RDIs) and for fat (including saturated fat and cholesterol), protein, carbohydrates (including fiber), sodium and added sugars it will be expressed as Daily Reference Values (DRVs). Daily Values may also be broken down by groups, for example, for pregnant/lactating women or for young children.

 

Fat Soluble Vitamins

Previously, fat soluble vitamins A, D and E were measured in International Units, or IUs, which measured the level of activity (biological effect). Furthermore, converting IUs to milligrams varies depending on the nutrient being measured. On the new labels, these fat soluble vitamins will simply be measured by weight: milligrams (mg) for Vitamin E and micrograms (mcg) for Vitamins A and D.

The new Daily Value (DV) of Vitamin A has gone from 5,000 IU to 900 mcg RAE (retinol activity equivalent). RAE will tell us the total amount when several sources of Vitamin A are used, for example: retinol plus beta-carotene.

The DV of Vitamin D has increased from 400 IU to 800 IU, or 20 mcg as it will now be expressed. Also, you will no longer see “Vitamin D3” or “Vitamin D2” specified in the Supplement Facts panel. Instead look for the source: cholecalciferol (D3) is made by animals (as when skin is exposed to sunshine) while ergocalciferol (D2) is made by plants.

In addition, the DV for Vitamin E is now 15 mg alpha-tocopherol, the natural form that is more biologically active and is retained in the blood more efficiently than synthetic Vitamin E. (Evergreen Nutrition does not recommend the use of synthetic Vitamin E which is made from petrochemicals and is less effective.)

Another fat-soluble vitamin, Vitamin K, will continue to be measured in micrograms (mcg), but the DV will increase from 80 mcg to 120 mcg. Like Vitamin D, the source of Vitamin K will no longer be specified in the Sup Facts. Again, look for the source: menaquinone (K2) is the preferred form for bone health (i.e., MK-7) and phylloquinone (K1) is essential for blood clotting.

WATER SOLUBLE VITAMINS

Folate is a B vitamin that is very important for women of child-bearing age since it lowers the risk of neural tube birth defects by 70%. Due to the different bioavailability of natural folate and synthetic folic acid, folate will now be expressed as micrograms of Dietary Folate Equivalents (DFE) indicating the total bioavailability of natural folate or folate plus synthetic folic acid if both forms are used. For women of child-bearing age, the RDI for folate is still 400 mcg but it will be labeled as 400 mcg DFE.

Our daily requirement of niacin (Vitamin B3) depends on the amount of the amino acid tryptophan in the diet since 90% tryptophan is converted to niacin within our bodies. (People looking for a natural sleep aid may do better with the tryptophan metabolite, 5-HTP, because it bypasses this conversion.) Under the new labeling requirements, niacin will be expressed as Niacin Equivalents (NE) to reflect the conversion.

ODDS & ENDS

 

  • Sugars added during processing, including honey and sugar alcohols like xylitol, are shown on the label as part of Total Sugars which equals naturally occurring plus added sugars.
  • The DV for sodium will decrease from 2,400 mg to 2,300 mg.
  • In order to discourage limiting intake of healthy fats, the FDA will increase the DV of fat from 65 grams to 78 grams, or 30-35% of the DRV. Healthy fats enable absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, help maintain healthy cell membranes, are important for brain and nerve function and much more.
  • Some Daily Values will increase: Vitamin C from 60 mg to 90 mg; phosphorus from 1,000 mg to 1,250 mg; magnesium from 400 mg to 420 mg; and manganese from 2 mg to 2.3 mg. The DV for fiber will go from 25 grams to 28 grams since research indicates that high fiber intake may lower the risk of cardiovascular disease.

 

However they are measured and labeled, Evergreen Nutrition will continue to bring you the highest quality supplements at the best prices we can find.





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